Deforestation

Deforestation

Environmental issues have, in the last two decades, received and great deal of publicity and study. Acid Rain, Global Warming and Pollution have been studied extensively. As it has been linked as a human activity to the destruction of the planet that supports our activities, an issue that requires consideration is deforestation and how it affects the natural bio-diversity and balance that has put the planet Earth under stress.

Deforestation refers to the long term loss or conversion of forest cover. It occurs through human actions when deforested areas are prevented from naturally regenerating. Forests are capable of recovering from any destruction like fire, floods, volcanic eruptions and ice ages. What is surprising is that, the recovery of forests that are destroyed through human implication recover faster than forests destroyed through natural causes.

Deforestation varies according to the region. In tropical forests of the world clearing of the land for agricultural and ranching activities are the primary reasons for deforestation. Overpopulation in cities and unequal distribution of land has accelerated the interruption of the rainforest.

According to the World Resources Institute, more than eighty percent of the Earth’s natural forests already have been destroyed. In recent years, the mid-south portion of Tennessee has experienced this devastating event. On a global level, everyone is affected. From a tribal member who lives in a tropical rain forest in Brazil to a local resident of middle Tennessee can be affected.

Impacts of Deforestation: Biodiversity Impacts

Although tropical forests cover only about 7 percent of the Earth’s dry land, they probably have about half of all species on Earth. Many species are so specialized to microhabitats within the forest that they can only be found in small areas.

Their specialization makes them vulnerable to extinction. In addition to the species lost when an area is totally deforested, the plants and animals in the parts of forest that remain also become increasingly vulnerable, sometimes even committed, to extinction. The edges of the fragments dry out and are buffeted by hot winds; mature rainforest trees often die standing at the margins. Huge changes in the types of trees, plants, and insects that can survive in the fragments rapidly reduces biodiversity in the forest that remains.

Alyssa